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Echoes of Emerald Isle
"Once there was a girl back in days of old, her hair wrapped in amber, and her heart crafted in gold..."
Maeve McLaughlin was born to heal. Herbs and tinctures ran in her blood, and in her small town of New Ross, Ireland, she was sought after to help anyone in need. She would marry, tend to her land, and live taking care of others. Until, everything changed.
War was coming, and in preparation, a ball was thrown in the honor of those serving. Maeve met a mysterious Lord who captured her attention, not realizing the tangled web their connection would weave.
When her family was confronted, her elder brothers chose to serve, leaving her to tend for the land alone. Loss was inevitable, and even though they came back in one piece, none of them would be the same. Maeve, being reunited with repeated loss, wasn’t certain as to what her future would hold.
Would love and healing prevail? Or would the heartache and pain be too much to bear?
All Weston's stories are mild swearing, fade to black romance with hope and healing weaved in to each character.
Maeve McLaughlin was born to heal. Herbs and tinctures ran in her blood, and in her small town of New Ross, Ireland, she was sought after to help anyone in need. She would marry, tend to her land, and live taking care of others. Until, everything changed.
War was coming, and in preparation, a ball was thrown in the honor of those serving. Maeve met a mysterious Lord who captured her attention, not realizing the tangled web their connection would weave.
When her family was confronted, her elder brothers chose to serve, leaving her to tend for the land alone. Loss was inevitable, and even though they came back in one piece, none of them would be the same. Maeve, being reunited with repeated loss, wasn’t certain as to what her future would hold.
Would love and healing prevail? Or would the heartache and pain be too much to bear?
All Weston's stories are mild swearing, fade to black romance with hope and healing weaved in to each character.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Ashley Weston
11 books34 followersBorn and raised in Gilbert, AZ, Ashley Weston loves her family, God, and the ability to dream.
Ashley has dreamed of writing a novel since she was in the third grade when she wrote her first story. It wasn’t until she began working with incredible people and having a good support system that she realized her dreams could become reality.
Ashley loves being a mom to four passionate souls, making friends, having dance parties, baking to her hearts content, and reading till all hours of the morning. Her hope is to convey emotions that uplift and encourage you, while making you swoon, through the art of story telling.
Ashley has dreamed of writing a novel since she was in the third grade when she wrote her first story. It wasn’t until she began working with incredible people and having a good support system that she realized her dreams could become reality.
Ashley loves being a mom to four passionate souls, making friends, having dance parties, baking to her hearts content, and reading till all hours of the morning. Her hope is to convey emotions that uplift and encourage you, while making you swoon, through the art of story telling.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 stars
Echoes of Emerald Isle by Ashley Weston
📚 Genre: Regency Romance set in Ireland
❤️ Intimacy: Fade to Black
🙊 Language: Moderate
⚠️ Maturity: Adult
✨ Vibes: longing, hope, love, healing, magical, sensual, destined
👩❤️👨 Tropes: pen pals, secret identity, brother’s best friend, age gap, he falls first, broken war hero, healer
My Thoughts
I don’t even know how to fully explain how much I loved this book. It made me feel ALLL the beautiful things.
This is the type of love story that draws you in fast and never lets you go, but not in this anxiety fueled way. It honestly felt like a perfect spring day after a long winter. The kind where you take a deep breath and feel everything awaken again, and you didn’t even realize how much you needed it until you were in it. That’s what this story felt like to me.
The Connection
Maeve & Theo meet and connect on a heart level immediately, but don't share their full identities, as the soldiers for the war (him included) are shipping out the next morning. However, he pleads with her to write him during the war and she does. And y'all... THE LETTERS! They are incredible--full of so much vulnerability, honesty, yet still concealing identities. There is a line in one of the letters quoting John Donne saying "more than kisses, letters mingle the soul," and that feels so true with this story. These letters build a foundation for a love that knows, understands, and heals. Because after the war, nothing looks the same and people are broken both physically and emotionally.
This is not a fast, dramatic, overly intense love story. It’s soft, and slow, and feels so, so deep.
Their connection feels instant in some ways… but their love takes time to unfold, and I appreciated that so much. There’s space for healing, for growth, for learning each other in real life and not just through letters.
Maeve
Maeve was everything I would want to be in a 1800 Irish heron. She is genuinely one of my favorite FMCs I’ve read in a while. Kind, hopeful, patient, empathetic, curious, a deep feeler, and someone who loves her people so, so well. And you see this so blatantly carried out in how she cares for Theo. She sees him, understands him, and meets him exactly where he is (both physically and mentally) without trying to force him into something he’s not ready for. There’s a quiet strength in her that I absolutely loved.
Theo
I’ll be honest… I tend to gravitate toward very strong, physically capable, protective MMCs, so sometimes stories with a physically broken hero can be harder for me to connect with. (Yes, I know that probably says something horrible about me... I'm sorry, but it's my fictional world so let me live there!).
That was NOT the case here. Theo is all of those things I love! Strong, masculine, protective, but you’re watching him fight to heal physically and emotionally, and Ashley wrote that journey was so, so beautifully.
He doesn’t just magically “get better.” He struggles. He wants to give up at times. But he keeps going, and a big part of that is because of the people around him (Maeve, his family, his responsibilities). Watching a man fight for his healing like that… physically and emotionally… was incredibly powerful and I LOVED him!
The Side Characters
I LOVED the side characters in this book (mostly... but I won't spoil anything for you). They added so much life and depth to the story, and I’m already invested in what comes next for them.
(A small note for the author only: Ashley, I need Rian and Rosalie's story like tomorrow if you could make that happen!)
Final Thoughts
This book felt magical in a way that’s hard to fully explain. Not because anything unrealistic was happening, but because of how deeply it made you feel. It's not dramatic or chaotic. It’s just… beautiful. Soft, healing, emotional, and full of love that feels both destined and deeply earned. And I loved every single second of it.
I graciously received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. But every thought here is my own and nothing could have made me love it more!
Echoes of Emerald Isle by Ashley Weston
📚 Genre: Regency Romance set in Ireland
❤️ Intimacy: Fade to Black
🙊 Language: Moderate
⚠️ Maturity: Adult
✨ Vibes: longing, hope, love, healing, magical, sensual, destined
👩❤️👨 Tropes: pen pals, secret identity, brother’s best friend, age gap, he falls first, broken war hero, healer
My Thoughts
I don’t even know how to fully explain how much I loved this book. It made me feel ALLL the beautiful things.
This is the type of love story that draws you in fast and never lets you go, but not in this anxiety fueled way. It honestly felt like a perfect spring day after a long winter. The kind where you take a deep breath and feel everything awaken again, and you didn’t even realize how much you needed it until you were in it. That’s what this story felt like to me.
The Connection
Maeve & Theo meet and connect on a heart level immediately, but don't share their full identities, as the soldiers for the war (him included) are shipping out the next morning. However, he pleads with her to write him during the war and she does. And y'all... THE LETTERS! They are incredible--full of so much vulnerability, honesty, yet still concealing identities. There is a line in one of the letters quoting John Donne saying "more than kisses, letters mingle the soul," and that feels so true with this story. These letters build a foundation for a love that knows, understands, and heals. Because after the war, nothing looks the same and people are broken both physically and emotionally.
This is not a fast, dramatic, overly intense love story. It’s soft, and slow, and feels so, so deep.
Their connection feels instant in some ways… but their love takes time to unfold, and I appreciated that so much. There’s space for healing, for growth, for learning each other in real life and not just through letters.
Maeve
Maeve was everything I would want to be in a 1800 Irish heron. She is genuinely one of my favorite FMCs I’ve read in a while. Kind, hopeful, patient, empathetic, curious, a deep feeler, and someone who loves her people so, so well. And you see this so blatantly carried out in how she cares for Theo. She sees him, understands him, and meets him exactly where he is (both physically and mentally) without trying to force him into something he’s not ready for. There’s a quiet strength in her that I absolutely loved.
Theo
I’ll be honest… I tend to gravitate toward very strong, physically capable, protective MMCs, so sometimes stories with a physically broken hero can be harder for me to connect with. (Yes, I know that probably says something horrible about me... I'm sorry, but it's my fictional world so let me live there!).
That was NOT the case here. Theo is all of those things I love! Strong, masculine, protective, but you’re watching him fight to heal physically and emotionally, and Ashley wrote that journey was so, so beautifully.
He doesn’t just magically “get better.” He struggles. He wants to give up at times. But he keeps going, and a big part of that is because of the people around him (Maeve, his family, his responsibilities). Watching a man fight for his healing like that… physically and emotionally… was incredibly powerful and I LOVED him!
The Side Characters
I LOVED the side characters in this book (mostly... but I won't spoil anything for you). They added so much life and depth to the story, and I’m already invested in what comes next for them.
(A small note for the author only: Ashley, I need Rian and Rosalie's story like tomorrow if you could make that happen!)
Final Thoughts
This book felt magical in a way that’s hard to fully explain. Not because anything unrealistic was happening, but because of how deeply it made you feel. It's not dramatic or chaotic. It’s just… beautiful. Soft, healing, emotional, and full of love that feels both destined and deeply earned. And I loved every single second of it.
I graciously received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. But every thought here is my own and nothing could have made me love it more!
May 4, 2026
This book has a chokehold on me!! It was one of the most romantic and healing books I've read.
Maeve is a healer in her small town in Ireland. Her methods to healing a body was refreshing, a focus on natural remedies using herbs and plants from her own gardens. She was such a gentle and caring character, despite the monumental loss she has experienced. Even as she grapples with her grief, she continues to show up for those she loves and cares for.
Theo, having returned from war with an injury, travels to Ireland to recuperate, both mentally and physically. Theo finds peace and healing in the form of Maeve and her healing methods. Not only does he start healing physically, but also emotionally.
Their pull towards one another is pure chemistry, instant and powerful. But knowing that they need to stay away from each other. With the amount of time they spend together, their friendship develops into the most romantic love. There were so many moments that were achingly heartbreaking. But so many more beautiful moments that were full of hope, love and joy. I love how, ultimately, they ended up healing each others brokenness.
This is one story that will stay with me, and I doing think I will ever get enough of Theo and Maeve.
I really liked how we got multiple POVs of characters, even if they were small snippets, it gave a taste of what's to come. I am so looking for to the next installment of this series.
🔥 Heat level: Descriptive make-out, fade-to-black
🫢 Language: Mild, infrequent
Maeve is a healer in her small town in Ireland. Her methods to healing a body was refreshing, a focus on natural remedies using herbs and plants from her own gardens. She was such a gentle and caring character, despite the monumental loss she has experienced. Even as she grapples with her grief, she continues to show up for those she loves and cares for.
Theo, having returned from war with an injury, travels to Ireland to recuperate, both mentally and physically. Theo finds peace and healing in the form of Maeve and her healing methods. Not only does he start healing physically, but also emotionally.
Their pull towards one another is pure chemistry, instant and powerful. But knowing that they need to stay away from each other. With the amount of time they spend together, their friendship develops into the most romantic love. There were so many moments that were achingly heartbreaking. But so many more beautiful moments that were full of hope, love and joy. I love how, ultimately, they ended up healing each others brokenness.
This is one story that will stay with me, and I doing think I will ever get enough of Theo and Maeve.
I really liked how we got multiple POVs of characters, even if they were small snippets, it gave a taste of what's to come. I am so looking for to the next installment of this series.
🔥 Heat level: Descriptive make-out, fade-to-black
🫢 Language: Mild, infrequent
May 2, 2026
This book is cozy, gritty, suspenseful, heartbreaking, sizzling without the heavy spice and just downright beautiful inside and out! 🥹🩵
Theo and Maeve are the perfect combination of tension and surrender, they make you fall in love with TRUE romance all over again! There’s magic and healing and there are parts that will have you laughing out loud too!
The perfect regency romance for closed door and open door girlies alike. Don’t pass on this one! 🤤🤞🏻
Theo and Maeve are the perfect combination of tension and surrender, they make you fall in love with TRUE romance all over again! There’s magic and healing and there are parts that will have you laughing out loud too!
The perfect regency romance for closed door and open door girlies alike. Don’t pass on this one! 🤤🤞🏻
Review of advance copy
★★★★★★
!!WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS (hidden just in case!)!!
Echoes of Emerald Isle is a regency romance about Maeve and Theo and I LOVED this book so so much. I have not read a book this good in agesss and could barely put it down! The characters were likeable and had personality, the setting is beautiful, the romance is there and the overall story was just extremely enjoyable. Let's talk about it a bit more!
- + What I liked about this book!+ -
1. Maeve and Theo. They are so perfect for each other and I love their relationship so so much ahhh <3 Maeve is such a sweetheart who deserves the world. She is such a great character and I can definitely tell she was inspired by Evangeline from ouabh (I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. not copied!!) she was such a relatable character and chapter 31 absolutely destroyed me 😭😭 I fell in love with her immediately and she has def made it to my top 10 favourite fmcs.
Now onto Theo. He is definitely a softie (mainly to her) and is the one who will give Maeve the world (and is not afraid to fight). Although I was a bit unsure of him at first (the reputation he had as a "ladies" man definitely made me a bit sceptical) but like Rian, I grew to like him a lot. The way they are each others rock throughout the book is just 🤌✨ It's so cute omg I love them (and the letters too??? WHY CAN'T I HAVE THIS LOVEEEE)
2. Rian, Rosalie and Amelia. These side characters are all so unique and I love them too (the only reason why Declan isn't included here is because of something he said that has stuck with me, sorry not sorry!). Rian acts like a tough guy but is also an absolute softie and although I do not know much about it my heart aches for his hurt after his last love <3 I loved how much he cared for the people around him and he also deserves the world (and his epilogue?? Absolutely crazy and I really really hope that it is continued!) Rosalie and Amelie were also very enjoyable characters. I really liked how they weren't completely bland cause they're side characters and actually had personalities! Would def love to have them as friends.
3. The setting. WOW, Westmeath sounds absolutely breath-taking and I desperately want to go there right now!! I love the connection the characters (especially Maeve) had to this place, it was very heart warming. The writing was so beautiful and Ashely Weston did an amazing job at capturing this place, its magic and the whole Victorian vibe <3
4. The betrayal. WOW (again).
5. This quote:
Honestly if I were to name every single thing I loved about this book, the list would be never ending so I'm gonna stop here.
Now this is the part where I'm supposed to write what I didn't like about this book but If I'm being honest I seriously do not have any complaints, it was just perfect <3
Anyways I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone, it's absolutely amazing and if I'm being honest will probably be going on my 6 star shelf ahaha
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
!!WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS (hidden just in case!)!!
Echoes of Emerald Isle is a regency romance about Maeve and Theo and I LOVED this book so so much. I have not read a book this good in agesss and could barely put it down! The characters were likeable and had personality, the setting is beautiful, the romance is there and the overall story was just extremely enjoyable. Let's talk about it a bit more!
- + What I liked about this book!+ -
1. Maeve and Theo. They are so perfect for each other and I love their relationship so so much ahhh <3 Maeve is such a sweetheart who deserves the world. She is such a great character and I can definitely tell she was inspired by Evangeline from ouabh (I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. not copied!!) she was such a relatable character and chapter 31 absolutely destroyed me 😭😭 I fell in love with her immediately and she has def made it to my top 10 favourite fmcs.
Now onto Theo. He is definitely a softie (mainly to her) and is the one who will give Maeve the world (and is not afraid to fight). Although I was a bit unsure of him at first (the reputation he had as a "ladies" man definitely made me a bit sceptical) but like Rian, I grew to like him a lot. The way they are each others rock throughout the book is just 🤌✨ It's so cute omg I love them (and the letters too??? WHY CAN'T I HAVE THIS LOVEEEE)
2. Rian, Rosalie and Amelia. These side characters are all so unique and I love them too (the only reason why Declan isn't included here is because of something he said that has stuck with me, sorry not sorry!). Rian acts like a tough guy but is also an absolute softie and although I do not know much about it my heart aches for his hurt after his last love <3 I loved how much he cared for the people around him and he also deserves the world (and his epilogue?? Absolutely crazy and I really really hope that it is continued!) Rosalie and Amelie were also very enjoyable characters. I really liked how they weren't completely bland cause they're side characters and actually had personalities! Would def love to have them as friends.
3. The setting. WOW, Westmeath sounds absolutely breath-taking and I desperately want to go there right now!! I love the connection the characters (especially Maeve) had to this place, it was very heart warming. The writing was so beautiful and Ashely Weston did an amazing job at capturing this place, its magic and the whole Victorian vibe <3
4. The betrayal. WOW (again).
5. This quote:
I know this doesn't seem like much compared to everything else I was talking about, but I think I actually cried when I read this, it hit so close to home ❤️🩹
Honestly if I were to name every single thing I loved about this book, the list would be never ending so I'm gonna stop here.
Now this is the part where I'm supposed to write what I didn't like about this book but If I'm being honest I seriously do not have any complaints, it was just perfect <3
Anyways I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone, it's absolutely amazing and if I'm being honest will probably be going on my 6 star shelf ahaha
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Regency romance is not one of my go-to genres, but there are some authors whose writing I love so much, that I will gladly read whatever they choose to write, regardless of the genre. Ashley Weston is one of those authors. I love the emotion and healing she weaved into each of her contemporary romances, and I was excited to see how that would translate into a Regency... and my goodness, it did not disappoint! Right from the start, I loved the chemistry between Maeve and Theo. While it may not be my go-to, I have still read a lot of Regency romance through the years, and I cannot recall another that had such a palpable romantic tension as this. They had such an instant connection... and not just attraction (though there certainly was that), but a deeper emotional connection as well. Their story was one filled with heartbreak and loss, betrayal and the aftermath of war, but also healing... both in the physical and emotional sense. There was also something cozy, almost whimsical in away, about this one... perhaps with the mentions of folklore throughout or just the Irish setting... whatever it was, I simply adored it. Maeve and Theo have my heart and with the drama and secrets we were introduced to from some of the other characters, I find myself very much looking forward to what is going to happen next in the series.
Echoes of Emerald Isle is a closed-door romance with fade to black. It did not have explicit detail, but the kisses were quite steamy in the buildup, and it was clear what was going to happen off pages. It did also have some minor language throughout.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Echoes of Emerald Isle is a closed-door romance with fade to black. It did not have explicit detail, but the kisses were quite steamy in the buildup, and it was clear what was going to happen off pages. It did also have some minor language throughout.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 3, 2026
I decided to write this review as I read through the book.
There’s a lot to unpack here. At 27%, I was already feeling so many emotions. Grief on a page always hits differently, and this one didn’t hit any easier. I’m glad it came early, and I’m hoping for smoother sailing from here.
At this point, I can’t say I have a favorite character yet, but I’m really enjoying the pull between Declan and Amelia.
I also absolutely adore the different pairings. It makes it so much easier for my imagination to roam. And a quick shoutout to one of the fastest argument resolutions ever.
At 50%, it’s definitely shaping up to be a slow-burn romance, and I’m just waiting for the spark to finally catch. I’m starting to think my initial assumptions about the pairings were only about 66% right. Surprisingly, I’m not too bothered about the 33% I got wrong, though I still have a few reservations.
“Propriety be damned.” That might be one of my favorite lines in the book.
At 80%, oh my goodness, I did not see a lot of this coming. I loved how the poem served as a kind of foreshadowing. I had a feeling, but it was still so satisfying to see it play out.
I found the first part of the book a bit slow, but around the 60% mark it really picked up and had me eager to turn the pages.
Overall, I’m glad I read this. I closed the book with a smile, watching almost everyone settle into their happily ever after.
Verdict: 3.5 ⭐️
There’s a lot to unpack here. At 27%, I was already feeling so many emotions. Grief on a page always hits differently, and this one didn’t hit any easier. I’m glad it came early, and I’m hoping for smoother sailing from here.
At this point, I can’t say I have a favorite character yet, but I’m really enjoying the pull between Declan and Amelia.
I also absolutely adore the different pairings. It makes it so much easier for my imagination to roam. And a quick shoutout to one of the fastest argument resolutions ever.
At 50%, it’s definitely shaping up to be a slow-burn romance, and I’m just waiting for the spark to finally catch. I’m starting to think my initial assumptions about the pairings were only about 66% right. Surprisingly, I’m not too bothered about the 33% I got wrong, though I still have a few reservations.
“Propriety be damned.” That might be one of my favorite lines in the book.
At 80%, oh my goodness, I did not see a lot of this coming. I loved how the poem served as a kind of foreshadowing. I had a feeling, but it was still so satisfying to see it play out.
I found the first part of the book a bit slow, but around the 60% mark it really picked up and had me eager to turn the pages.
Overall, I’m glad I read this. I closed the book with a smile, watching almost everyone settle into their happily ever after.
Verdict: 3.5 ⭐️
May 4, 2026
4.25⭐️ I could not put this down! Such a beautiful story of loss, love, and yearning! I adore Theo and Maeve 💕 I hope there is a spin-off book for the others because they were equally wonderful characters!
The writing was a bit choppy at times and needed some better editing (using the word “closure” instead of “closer”).
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed. (Not the part with Rian because that actually was brilliantly perfect for his personality and gave me a good chuckle.) But I would’ve loved to have seen Theo’s and Maeve’s ending drawn out just a little bit more.
Other than those two things, I LOVED this story! The characters are wonderful and the cover is gorgeous!!
One thing that stood out to me; Theo isn’t the typical fearless, strong MMC. He’s broken and at times feels emasculated. Swallowing pride and impatience, he lets Maeve help him take back his life and that was a refreshing change to read.
The writing was a bit choppy at times and needed some better editing (using the word “closure” instead of “closer”).
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed. (Not the part with Rian because that actually was brilliantly perfect for his personality and gave me a good chuckle.) But I would’ve loved to have seen Theo’s and Maeve’s ending drawn out just a little bit more.
Other than those two things, I LOVED this story! The characters are wonderful and the cover is gorgeous!!
One thing that stood out to me; Theo isn’t the typical fearless, strong MMC. He’s broken and at times feels emasculated. Swallowing pride and impatience, he lets Maeve help him take back his life and that was a refreshing change to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 STARS!!!
WOW. This book?! It got me.
The emotion. The healing. I was in it. I fell for the characters immediately--like no hesitation. So much heart, so much passion, I couldn't put it down!
And a Regency story that actually feels different? Yes please! Ireland was everything. The writing was so vivid I could practically hear the Irish brogue in my head the whole time.
AND THE SIDE CHARACTERS?? Don't even get me started. I think I sense a book 2?!?! PLEASE?!?! I'm ready. Immediately.
Thank you SO MUCH to the author for an eARC copy of this book!
WOW. This book?! It got me.
The emotion. The healing. I was in it. I fell for the characters immediately--like no hesitation. So much heart, so much passion, I couldn't put it down!
And a Regency story that actually feels different? Yes please! Ireland was everything. The writing was so vivid I could practically hear the Irish brogue in my head the whole time.
AND THE SIDE CHARACTERS?? Don't even get me started. I think I sense a book 2?!?! PLEASE?!?! I'm ready. Immediately.
Thank you SO MUCH to the author for an eARC copy of this book!
Read
May 20, 2026This is for my historical romance girlies that love to be swept away in a swoony romance. This story has a bit of whimsy and magic to it, while also being realistic with some depth and heart to it. It’s a story of healing and hope with a broken war hero and a healer. There’s some nods to You’ve Got Mail with some letter exchanges after a swoony ballroom encounter.
🙉 occasional curse word
❤️ closed-door/fade to black romance
🙉 occasional curse word
❤️ closed-door/fade to black romance
April 30, 2026
What an adorable and charming story! I’ve never read a regency romance like this. The depth of emotion and healing is beautiful!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adore Theo & Maeve's fiery, sweet, caring, heartbreaking, magical, loving, swoony, happily ever after!!
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